SK4012003A3 - Regulatory and auxiliary HIV peptides, antigens, vaccine compositions, an immunoassay kit and method of detecting antibodies induced by HIV - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention comprises novel and modified peptides capable of inducing a HIV-1 specific immune response without antagonizing the cytotoxic T-cell activity in order to achieve an effective prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine against HIV. The peptides are based on conserved regions of HIV Tat and Rev, regulatory proteins and Nef, auxiliary proteins. Antigens in free- or carrier-bound form comprising at least one of the said peptides, vaccine compositions containing at least one of the antigens, immunoassay kits and a method of detecting antibodies induced by HIV or HIV specific peptides using such antigens, are described.

Description

HIV regulatory and helper peptides, antigens, vaccine compositions, immunoassay kit and method for detecting HIV-induced antibodies

Technical field

The present invention relates to novel peptides based on the conserved regions of HIV regulatory and helper peptides, free or bound antigens comprising at least one of said peptides, vaccine compositions comprising at least one of the antigens, immunoassay kits and a method for detecting HIV-induced antibodies or HIV-specific peptides using such antigens.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Human Type 1 Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1), the causative agent of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), remains a significant health threat in developing countries. In Western countries, therapeutic strategies that target HIV replication and maturation have a significant impact on disease progression. However, the high cost of concomitant treatment, the high toxicity of drugs, and the lack of drugs make the development of safe and effective vaccines still crucial to keep the AIDS pandemic under control.

HIV-1 is a complex retrovirus that encodes six regulatory and helper genes not found in single retroviruses, namely tat, rev, nef, vif, vpr, and vpu (Table 1).

In eukaryotic cells, only perfectly combined mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm for translation. Uncombined or partially combined RNAs are retained in the nucleus and eventually decompose. In this way, the proteins encoded by the tat, rev and nef genes (referred to as Tat, Rev, and Nef) are derived first from multiple-combined RNA species and represent the initial expression of the HIV-1 gene. For the expression of simply combined RNAs, as well as for transferring the genome of uncomplexed full-length RNA into the cytoplasm for packaging, HIV-1 has developed a means to overcome the limitations of RNA transfer. Tat and Rev regulatory proteins are crucial in HIV replication because mutations in these proteins prevent the production of HIV-1 (Dayton AI et al. (1986) Cell, 44: 941-947 and Fisher AG et al. (1986) Nature, 320: 367-371).

Auxiliary genes are derived from exons located exclusively upstream of the HIV-1 gene, for example, vif or exons upstream or downstream of the HIV-1 gene.

inside env, but in different reading frames, e.g. tat, rev. The efficiency of combining partially regulates gene expression levels of various helper proteins.

Upon integration of HIV-1 proviral DNA, predominantly truncated forms of mRNA are synthesized by cellular RNA polymerase II, which interacts with positions at the 5 'long terminal repeat (LTR) of the proviral DNA. tat is one of the first genes to be expressed and which carries a nuclear localization signal. It is a potent transcriptional activator that increases LTR-driven transcription up to a thousand fold. Continuous expression of Tat provides positive feedback for a high level of gene expression. Unlike conventional transcriptional activators that interact with DNA sequences, Tat binds directly to the 5 'ends of all HIV-1 RNAs in a separate TAR loop (transactivation response element) secondary structure. The structure of this loop is highly conserved and necessary for the Tat function. The structure of the Tat / TAR interaction was analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (Puglisi et al. (1992) Science, 257: 76-80). Tat binds TAR in conjunction with the cell protein cyclin T, which in turn binds CDK9, which phosphorylates the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II, thereby promoting prolongation of RNA transcription. These Tat cell cofactors are present only in activated cells, their absence suppresses transcription of proviral DNA, thereby "quasi-latency" in T lymphocytes. Tat expression occurs from two exons, with the nuclear localization signal and the TAR binding region located in the first exon. Infected cells secrete Tat, and this may exert heterologous effects on neighboring cells. These effects include cell activation (Hofman et al. (1993) Blood, 82: 2774-2780), induction of cellular α3 demand (Macho et al. (1999) Oncogene, 18: 7543-7551), functioning as a curable growth factor ( Trinh, DP et al (1999) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 256: 299-306) and modulating host cell protein synthesis in favor of viral protein synthesis (Xiao et al. (1998) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 244: 384-389). Therapeutic strategies targeted to Tat will therefore have a significant impact on HIV-1 infection.

In the early stages after infection, small, multiple, combined mRNAs encoding Tat, Rev and Nef predominate. When the Rev threshold is reached, un combined and simply combined RNAs are collected in the cytoplasm for translation, allowing the infection to continue to spread. Failure to create this Rev threshold can contribute to HIV quasi-latency. Rev can only bind to RNAs that contain a particular RNA structure of the RRE (Rev Response Element) that is located in the env coding region of the genome. Rev interacts with RRE as a multimer through an arginine-rich basic region that is present in the amino terminal half of the protein. The consequence of this interaction is the transfer of partially combined RNAs, which will provide products of genes such as Env, Vif, Vpu and Vpr, as well as non-combined RNAs, which will serve as new genomes for incorporation into the forming particles. Structural analysis of Rev / RRE interaction by NMR was also performed (Battiste et al. (1996) Science, 273: 1547-1551). Rev contains a rich export signal, allowing it to be a carrier for the continuous transport of just synthesized RNA between the nucleus and the cytoplasm (Kalland et al. (1994) J. Virol., 68: 1475-1485; Meyer & Malim, (1994) Genes Dev. 8: 1538-1547). In this way, Rev ensures that the expression of structural genes takes place later, up to the regulatory genes. Therapeutic strategies directed at Rev interrupt the virus life cycle at an early stage of infection.

Although initially Nef has been described as a negative factor, it has later been shown to have positive effects on virus replication and is expressed to a greater extent than Tat and Rev at the beginning and during infection. Nef is myristylated at the N terminus and is joined to the inside of the plasma membrane. Nef is partly responsible for downregulation and degradation of surface CD4 by endocytosis (Piguet et al. (1998) EMBO J., 17: 2472-2481). Removal of CD4 from the cell surface prevents superinfection with other strains of HIV-1 or reinfection with just released virus. Nef is also responsible for regulation by reducing MHC class I, thereby protecting infected cells from destruction by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Le Gali et al. (1997) Res. Virol., 148: 43-47). Nef is not a key viral protein since it is not required for infection of peripheral blood lymphocytes or T cell lines in vitro. However, Nef deletion mutants are less pathogenic over longer periods of time. Nef also has complex effects on signal transduction pathways in the cell and contains proline-rich regions that can interact with the SH3 domain of kinases involved in T cell activation, a property necessary for efficient HIV replication (Moarefi et al. (1997) Nature, 385: 650-653). Nef-containing viruses are capable of synthesizing more viral DNA than Nef omitted viruses, suggesting that Nef directly or indirectly activates virus reverse transcriptases. The low level of Nef associated with virions may be responsible for this phenomenon. Low levels of Nef are also released from infected cells, although the potential effect of neighboring cells is unclear. Since Nef expression occurs at the onset of infection and has profound effects on the expression of CD4 and MHC class I as well as disease progression, Nef is an important target for future therapeutic strategies.

Tat and Nef are secreted and can be taken up by macrophages and can be expressed in association with MHC class II molecules. This increases their stability as targets for peptide-based therapies, which could also be expressed in connection with MHC class II. It is clear that focusing on the initial gene products that are key in HIV-1 replication, such as Tat and Rev, should be preferred as Nef, whose expression also occurs initially and affects disease progression.

Table 1 HIV-1 regulatory and helper proteins

gene pro- tein Title expression location features tat tat Transactivator of virus transcription Počiatoč- on the The core Activates virus transcription. Excreted from infected cells where it can activate T cells, induce apoptosis and act as a growth factor roar roar Nuclear RNA export factor Počiatoč- on the Nucleus, nucleoplasm, cytop- Lazma Controls entanglement / transmission RNA into the cytoplasm. Carrier protein. Nef Nef different effector features Počiatoč- on the Cytoplasm, membrane-associated virions It triggers CD4 endocytosis. It regulates downregulation of MHC class 1 expression. It binds to kinases and can affect T cell signaling and activation. Vpu Vpu Viral protein u Later- šia Cytoplasm associated with membranes Triggers intracellular degradation of CD4, regulates by reducing MHC class 1, a non-specific accelerator of retroviral particle release. YIF Vif In- Factor fekčnosti virus Later- šia cytoplasm, membrane virions It increases the infectivity of viral particles in a cell-dependent manner. It improves viral DNA synthesis during reverse transcription. Vpr Vpr Viral protein r Later- šia Mainly core virions It contributes to nuclear import of the pre-integration complex. It stops cells in the G2 / M phase of the cell cycle.

The naturally occurring HIV sequences in the vaccine candidates are unable to stimulate a stable and long lasting immune response due to the intrinsic ability of HIV to hide for the immune system by altering the appearance of the epitopes present. To overcome this variable epitope appearance, some amino acid substitutions and combinations of amino acids will support the immune system in the discovery and recognition of these foreign virus antigens in a reliable manner and therefore to a greater extent.

Based on the above known facts, we decided to explore the possibility of generating new synthetic peptides that can mimic epitopes from HIV regulatory and helper proteins in such a way that they can

be accessible to the humoral as well as the cellular part of the immune system, and would meet the requirements for an effective therapeutic and / or prophylactic vaccine.

The initial work was based on the natural amino acid sequences of Tat published by Korber et al., Human Retroviruses and AIDS, 1997, Red. Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM. The first Tat epitope is located between amino acid 1 and amino acid 24 of the tat protein:

Table 2. Epitope Tat

Cis. IF naturally the occurring amino acids 1 M WITH 2 E D IN 3 WITH Q P L IN A 4 IN I 5 D N 6 P H A 7 R N WITH The E D 8 L I Q R IN M T 9 E D P 10 P WITH 11 W 12 The N E H L 13 H R Q 14 P 15 G P 16 WITH N A 17 Q The T 18 P H 19 The T WITH A R P E Q 20 T A I 21 A P D IN 22 C WITH 23 T N WITH 24 N The R Q A P T

Ί

The single-letter as well as three-letter codes defining amino acids in the sequences given in this specification are in accordance with international standards and are given in textbooks, for example Lehninger AL, "Principles of Biochemistry", Worth Publishers Inc., New York, 1982. The amino acids listed to the right of the left column represent natural sequence variants. Our analyzes led to a sequence containing this modified epitope:

CSWVNPRLEPWLHPGSQPN1TACTN in which NI denotes 2-aminohexanoic acid (norleucine, abbreviated as Not in the three-letter or NI in the one-letter code, respectively) and the cysteine residues are in an oxidized state, i.e. they form an intra-chain disulfide bond. Since the cysteine residue in the C-terminal portion (at position 22) of the peptide is part of an intramolecular disulfide bond outside this selected epitope, a similar intrapeptide disulfide bond is formed by placing a cysteine in the N-terminal portion of the selected epitope. Another possibility is to form an intermolecular disulfide bond by dimerizing the sequences:

WVNPRLEPWLHPGSQPN1TACTN

WVNPRLEPWLHPGSQPN1TACTN

Another possibility is dimerization with another selected epitope from Tat. The second epitope on Tat is located between amino acids 35 and 57 in the C-terminal direction and is separated from the first epitope by 10 amino acids containing an additional 5 Cys residues, in addition to the Cys residues in each epitope. The relatively large number of Cys residues offers many intermolecular and intra-molecular linkage options. It is likely that this Cys-rich domain will dominate the immunological exposure of this protein, thereby providing "hiding" of the two relevant epitopes. Selection and modification of these two adjacent epitopes can make the key portion of the Tat protein more accessible.

In order to limit the likelihood of escape mutant development, the epitope number was further increased and two additional peptide sequences were selected. These sequences are located on Rev (residues 58-78) and Nef (residues 65-85). Natural sequences were published in Human Retroviruses and AIDS 1999; A Compilation and Analysis of Nucleic Acids and Amino Acid Sequences (Human Retroviruses and AIDS, 1999; Overview and Analysis of Nucleic Acid and Amino Acid Sequences). Red. Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos Laboratory, Los Alamos:

Table 3. Epitope Tat

NO. IF prir odze the occurring amino acids 35 Q P I L T Y IN 36 in A C L 37 C 38 F 39 I L Q M T 40 T N The R 41 The Q 42 G A 43 L 44 G WITH 45 I 46 WITH F Y 47 Y N 48 G 49 R The with 50 The 51 The 52 R 53 R The with G 54 Q R P 55 R 56 R 57 R G with

Table 4. Epitope Rev

No. IF Naturally occurring amino acids 58 R W Q 89 I IN L F 60 L I P 61 G WITH N D C IN T A 62 T A D N with 63 Y C F R H WITH IN L 64 L IN 65 G H 66 R G 67 WITH P F L 68 A T E Q IN P WITH 69 E The Q D N 70 P with A N 71 IN N G P 72 P Q H WITH L R T D 73 L F IN 74 Q L P H D E 75 L 76 P 77 P L E 78 L I IN P

Table 5. Epitope Nef

No. IF naturally amino acids 65 E G D WITH 66 N G D E 67 E IN 68 A G 69 L F 70 P 71 I IN 72 T R The A M 73 P 74 Q H 75 in L I 76 P 77 L IN T 78 R 79 P 80 M IN I 81 T D 82 Y F R 83 The R 84 A G WITH E Q 85 A WITH IN

Several modified peptides were synthesized to determine the uniqueness of the sequences as well as their immune stimulation properties in combination with their specificity and sensitivity as HIV-1 antigens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The peptides of the invention originate from four different conserved regions of the Tat, Rev and Nef proteins of HIV-1 described above and having properties that retain the uniqueness (immunogenicity, sensitivity, and specificity) of HIV-1 epitopes. Furthermore, the novel peptides of the invention have no observable cytotoxic antagonist effect on T lymphocytes (CTLs) and must have at least one potential CTL epitope.

Peptides of the invention that meet the following criteria are selected from the following groups:

Xaa Xaa ₂ Xaa3 Xaa4 Xaa Xaa6 Xaa7 Leu Glu Pro Trp Xaaa ₂ His Pro Xaaa Xaaa6 Xaaa Xaaig Xaa ₍₉ Xaa ₂₀ Xaa ₂ and Xaa ₂₂ Xaa ₂₃ Xaa ₂₄ (SEQ ID NO: 1) wherein the amino acids of the chain may have the following meanings;

Xaa at position 1 of the peptide derivative is Met, Ser, Cys or nothing,

Xaa at position 2 is Glu, Asp, Val, Ser or nothing,

Xaa at position 3 is Ser, Gln, Pro, Leu, Val, Ala, Trp, Tyr, or Phe,

Xaa at position 4 is Val or Ile,

Xaa at position 5 is Asp, Asn or Ile,

Xaa at position 6 is Pro, His, or Ala,

Xaa at position 7 is Arg, Asn, Ser, Lys, Glu, or Asp,

Xaa at position 12 is Leu, Ile or No,

Xaa at position 15 is Gly or Pro,

Xaa at position 16 is Ser, Asn, or Ala,

Xaa at position 17 is Gln, Lys, or Thr,

Xaa at position 18 is Pro or His,

Xaa at position 19 is Lys, Thr, Ser, Ala, Arg, Pro, Glu, Leu, Ile or No,

Xaa at position 20 is Thr, Ala, or clay,

Xaa at position 21 is Ala, Pro, Asp, or Val,

Xaa at position 22 is Cys or Ser,

Xaa at position 23 is Thr, Asn, or Ser,

Xaa at position 24 is Asn, Lys, Arg, Gln, Ala, Pro, or Thr, the peptide comprises at least six contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 1, in addition two or more Cys residues may form part of an interchain or interchain disulfide bond, the bridge -S- (CH 2) _p -S- or - (CH 2) _p -, wherein p = 1-8, optionally with one or more heteroatoms inserted, such as O, N or S,

Xaa Xaa 2 Xaa 3 Phe Xaa Xaa 6 Xaa 7 Xaa Xaa 9 Xaa 10 Xaa Xaa 4 -Z- Tyr Xaa Gly Xaa Lys Lys Arg Xaaa Xaa 20 Xaa 21 Xaa 22 Xaa 23 (SEQ ID NO: 4) wherein the amino acids of the chain have the following;

Xaa at position 1 is Pro, Ile, Leu, Thr, Tyr or Val,

Xaa at position 2 is Val, Ala, Cys, Leu,

Xaa at position 3 is Cys, Ile, Leu, Val or No,

Xaa at position 5 is white, Leu, Gln, Met or Thr,

Xaa at position 6 is Thr, Asn, Lys, or Arg,

Xaa at position 7 is Lys, Arg, or Gln,

Xaa at position 8 is Gly or Ala,

Xaa at position 9 is Leu or clay,

Xaa at position 10 is Gly, Ser, or Ala,

Xaa at position 11 is white or Gly,

Xaa at position 12 is Ser, Phe, or Tyr,

Xaaj inserted before position 14 is Leu, clay, No,

Xaa at position 15 is Arg, Lys, Ser, or Citrulline (Cit),

Xaa at position 19 is Arg, Lys, Ser, Gly or Cit,

Xaa at position 20 is Gln, Arg, or Pro,

Xaa at position 21 is white or Leu,

Xaa at position 22 is Gly, Leu, Ile, Cys or nothing,

Xaa at position 23 is Gly or nothing, wherein the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 comprises at least six consecutive amino acids, -Z- is a fused linkage and represents PEG, modified PEG and / or [Gly] n, wherein n = 1, 2 or 3, furthermore two or more of the Cys residues may form part of intrachain or interchain disulphide binding, a -S- (CH 2) _p -S- or a - (CH _{2) p} -, wherein p = 1-8, optionally intervened by one or more heteroatoms such as O, N or S,

Xaa 1 Leu Xaa 4 Xaa Xaa 6 Leu Gly Arg Xaa Xoan -Z- Xaa ₂ Leu Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 6 Xaa 8 Xaa 9 Leu Pro Leu (SEQ ID NO: 7) wherein Xaa at position 1 is Phe or Tyr Arg,

Xaa at position 4 is Gly, Ser, Asn, Asp, Cys, Val, Thr, Ala, or Arg,

Xaa at position 5 is Thr, Ala, Asp, Asn or Ser,

Xaa at position 6 is Tyr, Cys, Phe, Arg, His, Ser, Val, or Leu,

Xaa at position 10 is Ser, Pro, Phe, Leu, or Ile,

Xaa at position 11 is Ala, Thr, Glu, Gln, Val, Pro, or Ser,

Xaa at position 12 is Glu, Lys, Gln, Asp, Asn, Tyr, Trp, or Phe,

Xaaj inserted after position 13 is Ser, Pro, Phe, Leu or Ile,

Xaaj inserted before position 14 is Ala, Thr, Glu, Gln, Val, Pro or Ser,

Xaa at position 14 is Glu, Lys, Gln, Asp, or Asn,

Xaa at position 15 is Pro, Ser, Ala, or Asn,

Xaa at position 16 is Val, Asn, Gly, or Pro,

Xaa at position 17 is Pro, Gln, His, Ser, Leu, Arg, Thr, Asp, or Ile,

Xaa at position 18 is Leu, Phe, or Val,

Xaa at position 19 is Gln, Leu, Pro, His, Asp, or Glu, wherein the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7 comprises at least six consecutive amino acids, the -Z- linker is optional and represents PEG, modified PEG and / or [Gly] ", In which n = 1,2 or 3,

Xaaj Leu Val Gly Xaa Pro Xaa7 Xaag Pro Xaaio Xaan Pro -Z- [Arg] _m Xaa,

Xaa n Xaa 4 Pro Xaa ₆ Xaa Xaa g Xaa Xaa ₂ o Xaa ₂ i (SEQ ID NO: 10), wherein Xaa at position 1 is Lys or Arg,

Xaa at position 5 is Phe or Leu,

Xaa at position 7 is white or Val,

Xaa at position 8 is Thr, Arg, Lys, Ala or Met,

Xaa at position 10 is Gln or His,

Xaa at position 11 is Val, Leu, or clay,

Xaai inserted before position 13 is Leu,

Xaa at position 13 is Leu, Val, or Thr,

Xaa at position 14 is Arg or citrulline (Cit),

Xaa at position 16 is Met, Val, Ile or No, Leu,

Xaa at position 17 is Thr or Asp,

Xaa at position 18 is Tyr, Phe, or Arg,

Xaa at position 19 is Lys or Arg,

Xaa at position 20 is Ala, Gly, Ser, Glu, or Gln,

Xaa at position 21 is Ala, Ser, or Val, wherein the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 comprises at least six consecutive amino acids, the -Z- linker is optional and represents PEG, modified PEG, and / or [Gly] _n , wherein n = 1, 2 or 3 and independently of n is mv [Arg] _m equal to 0, 1, 2 or 3, the terminal terminations of the sequences may be free carboxyl or amino groups, amides, acyls, acetyls or salts thereof and / or peptide sequences are indicated immobilized on a solid support.

The novel peptide sequences have the ability to serve as a good antigen in which the antigen comprises at least one peptide selected from the sequence group

SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 7, or SEQ ID NO: 10. Antigenicity can be adjusted by varying the concentration ratio of different peptides or peptide sizes, for example by dimerization or polymerization and / or solid phase immobilization. The antigen comprises two or more sequences of polypeptides of the invention that could be either linked by a bridge, for example a disulfide bridge between Cys chain residues or bridges such as C 1 -C 8 alkylene, optionally with one or more heteroatoms such as O, S or N inserted. or are preferably unconnected. The chains may be immobilized on a solid phase in monomeric, dimeric or oligomeric form. Additional amino acids may be added to the ends to form an "arm" to facilitate immobilization.

PEG is polyethylene glycol (HO (CH2CH2O) _a H), and may be part of the linker -Z-, optionally PEG is modified by a dicarboxylic acid (HO (CH2CH2O) _a CO (CH 2) b COOH) or a terminal carboxylic acid (HO (CH2CH2O) _a -i CH2COOH), where before coupling a = 1-10 and b = 2-6.

The -Z- linker may be either PEG, modified PEG, or a combination thereof and / or a combination of one or more Gly residues. The linker -Z- may also be a Gly-bridge [Gly] _n in which n = 1, 2 or 3.

All amino acids in the peptides of the invention may be in the Dform or in the L-form, although the naturally occurring L-form is more preferred.

The C- and N-terminal ends of the peptide sequences can be distinguished from natural sequences by modifying the terminal NH 2 groups and / or COOH groups, for example, they can be acylated, acetylated, amidated or modified to provide a point of attachment for a carrier or other molecule.

The peptides of the invention consist of 6 to 50 amino acids, preferably 10 to 30 amino acids. These represent the entire natural variety of amino acids at the identified positions.

The polypeptide antigen of the invention is either free or in a form bound to a carrier. The carrier or solid phase to which the peptide is optionally attached can be selected from a wide variety of known carriers. It should be selected with respect to the intended use of the immobilized polypeptide as a diagnostic antigen or as an immunizing component in a vaccine.

Examples of carriers that can be used, for example, for diagnostic purposes are magnetic beads or copolymers resins such as styrene-divinylbenzene, hydroxylated styrene-divinylbenzene, polystyrene, carboxylated polystyrene, carbon black beads, inactivated or polystyrene-activated polyvinyl chloride activated epoxy, magnetic glass, gelatin or polysaccharide particles or other protein particles, red blood cells, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, or fab fragments thereof.

According to another practical embodiment of the invention, the antigens may be part of a vaccine with the possibility of combination with carriers, adjuvants or other immunostimulatory elements such as smallpox virus containing the env gene. Examples of carriers and / or adjuvants for vaccine purposes are other proteins, such as human or bovine serum albumin, limpet hemocyanin, and fatty acids. Immunostimulatory materials can be divided into three groups: adjuvants, carriers for antigens and vehicles. Examples of adjuvants are aluminum hydroxide, aluminum salts, saponin, muramyl di- and tripeptides, monophosphoryl lipid A, palmitic acid, B. pertussis, and various cytokines including the Th1 cytokine IL-12 and IL-1. A number of protein toxins that are useful in the development of CTL vaccines can be used to deliver carrier proteins across cell membranes to the cytosol. Carriers include bacterial toxoids such as inactivated tetanus and cholera toxin, genetically detoxified bacterial toxins such as thermal labile enterotoxin from E. coli, fatty acids, living vectors such as polio chimeras, and hybrid proteins that form particles, such as particles yeast retrotransposone hybrid TY and HBcAg particles. Vehicles that are frequently found in modern vaccines include mineral oil emulsions, Freund's complete and incomplete adjuvant, vegetable oil emulsions, nonionic block copolymer surfactants, squalene or squalane, lipopeptides, liposomes, and biodegradable microspheres. Two new adjuvants that are important in the development of new vaccines are the oil-in-water microemulsion (MF59) and polymer microparticles. Any substance that may enhance the immunogenicity of the antigen may be used, and some other alternatives to carriers or adjuvants are listed in the US or European Pharmacopoeia.

A suitable antigen-containing composition for immunostimulatory use may also contain interferons such as INF-γ, antiviral chemokines or hematopoietic growth factors such as granulocyte-macrophage growth factor.

Another approach to enhance stimulation and absorption, for example in the intestines, is to administer the peptides of the invention with small peptides such as di-, tri- or tetrapeptides. These peptides may be administered in addition or in combination with the peptides of the invention. Preferably, these peptides are administered together with the tripeptide YGG, which consists of amino acids in the D-form or in the L-form, preferably in the D-form.

Recent approaches to non-parenteral administration of a vaccine, for example through the mucosa, include: gene fusion technology to generate non-toxic derivatives of mucosal adjuvants, genetically inactivated antigens with deletion in the essential gene, coexpression of antigen and specific cytokine that is important for mucosal and immune responses genetic material alone that would allow the uptake of DNA or RNA and its endogenous expression in host cells.

One approach to the development of durable responses when cell-mediated immunity is required is vaccination with a plasmid DNA encoding one or more specific antigens.

To protect against HIV infection, vaccines must exhibit both mucosal and systemic immune responses and should be administered by any conventional means, for example parenterally or non-parenterally, such as subcutaneously, intracutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, orally, mucotically or intranasally.

In a preferred embodiment, the vaccine of the invention comprises antigens comprising peptides selected from at least one of SEQ ID NOs

NO: 1, 4, 7 and 10, more preferably the peptides are present in equal amounts.

In another practical embodiment, the vaccine comprises antigens:

F VI H RL EP WL HP GS QHN1 TAS TN - NH ₂ (SEQ ID NO: 14) a

RLVGFP VKPQVPGLLRPLTYKAA-NH ₂ (SEQ ID NO: 15).

These sequences can activate the cellular immune system and interact with CTL-epitopes. The amino acid changes incorporated within the CTL-epitopes are designed to achieve improved binding. Other amino acid changes have also been made to facilitate peptide synthesis and / or increase peptide solubility.

Another practical embodiment of the invention is a method of detecting antibodies elicited by HIV-1 or HIV-1-specific peptides or proteins in a body fluid sample using said antigens. The invention also includes an immunoassay kit for said detection and antibodies capable of selectively reacting with said antigens.

Description of peptide preparation

The peptides of the invention may be prepared by any known method for preparing a linear amino acid sequence, such as recombinant DNA techniques. A nucleic acid sequence that encodes one or more of the peptides of the invention or multimers of said peptides is introduced into an expression vector. Suitable expression vectors are, for example, plasmids, cosmids, viruses and YACs (yeast artificial chromosomes) which contain the necessary control regions for replication and expression. The expression vector may be stimulated for expression in a host cell. Suitable host cells are, for example, bacteria, yeast cells and mammalian cells. Such techniques are well known to those skilled in the art and are described, for example, by Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, 1989. Other well known techniques are degradation or synthesis by coupling an amino acid residue to another residue in a liquid phase or preferably a solid phase (resin), for example by so-called Merrifield synthesis. See, for example, Barany and Merrifield in Peptides, Analysis, Synthesis, Biology, Vol. 2, red. E. Gross and Meinhofer (Acad. Press, N.Y., 1980), Kneib-Coronier and Mullen, Int. J. Peptide Res., 30, p. 705-739 (1987) and Fields and Noble, Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 35, pp. 161-214 (1990).

If a linear or cyclic peptide is desired, a chemical oxidation step is performed on the amino acid sequence to cyclize or join two cysteine residues within or between two peptide sequences when synthesizing suitable linear amino acid sequences, see Akaji et al., Tetrahedron. Letter, 33, 8, p. 1073-1076, 1992.

General description of the synthesis

All peptide derivatives prepared in the examples below were synthesized on a Milligen 9050 peptide synthesizer using a standard program. The resin used was Tenta Gel P RAM with a theoretical loading of 0.20 meq / g (RAPP POLYMERE GmBH, Tiibingen). The final synthesis product was dried overnight in vacuo. The peptide was then separated from the resin by treatment with 90% trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of ethanedithiol (5%) and water (5%) as scavengers (1.5 hours at room temperature). The resin was then filtered off and washed on the filter with another portion of trifluoroacetic acid (100%) (2 x 20 mL). The combined filtrates were evaporated in vacuo (water bath at room temperature) and the residue was treated with ethyl ether (200 mL) and the precipitated product was filtered off. The solid was immediately dissolved on the filter in glacial acetic acid (100 mL), added to 1.5 L of 20% acetic acid in methanol and treated with a 0.1 M solution of iodine in methanol until the system became light brown. Dowex 1 χ 8 ion exchanger as acetate (15 g) (Bio-Rad, Richmond, CA, USA) was then added and the mixture was filtered. The filtrate was evaporated and the residue was lyophilized from acetic acid. The product was then purified by reverse phase liquid chromatography on a Kromasil® 100-5 C8 column (EKA Nobel, Surte,

Sweden) in a suitable system containing acetonitrile in 0.1% aqueous trifluoroacetic acid. Samples taken from the column were analyzed by analytical high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (Beckman System Gold, USA) on a Kromasil® 100-5 C8 column (EKA Nobel, Surte, Sweden). Fractions containing pure material were combined, the solvent was evaporated and the product was lyophilized from acetic acid. Final product HPLC was performed on the resulting product and the peptide structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

All amino acids used in the synthesis were L-amino acids and their functional α-amino group was protected by a fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl group. The side chains were protected as follows:

Cys (Trt), Gln (Trt), Glu (OtBu), Thr (tBu).

Abbreviations in brackets mean:

Trt = triphenylmethyl, t-Bu = tert-butyl,

OtBu = tert-butyl ester.

Amino acid derivatives were supplied by Bachem AG, Switzerland.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of CSWVNPRLEPWN1HPGSQHN1TACTN-NH ₂ (SEQ ID NO: 2). The peptide was synthesized as an amide from the corresponding starting materials according to the general description of the synthesis. The peptide was then cyclized by oxidation with I ₂ . The peptide was dissolved in acetic acid / methanol (1: 4) and 0.1 M ₂ in methanol was added. Purity was determined by HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

Purity (HPLC): greater than 97% (less than 1% of the individual impurity) Molar mass (free base): 2746.2

EXAMPLE 2

Preparation of FVIPRLEPW N1 HPGSQP N1 TACTN -NH ₂ (SEQ ID NO: 3). The peptide was synthesized as an amide from the corresponding starting materials according to the general description of the synthesis. Purity was determined by HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

Purity (HPLC): greater than 97% (less than 1% of single impurity)

Molar mass (free base): 2538.0

EXAMPLE 3

Preparation of YLLFLTKGLGISGGGYNIGCitKKRCitQILG-NH ₂ (SEQ ID NO: 5). The peptide was synthesized as an amide from the corresponding starting materials according to the general description of the synthesis. Purity was determined by HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

EXAMPLE 4

Preparation of YLNIFLTRGLGISGGGYNIGCitKKRCitQICG-NH ₂ (SEQ ID NO: 6). The peptide was synthesized as an amide from the corresponding starting materials according to the general description of the synthesis. Purity was determined by HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

Purity (HPLC): greater than 97% (less than 1% of single impurity)

Molar mass (free base): 3097.7

EXAMPLE 5

Preparation of RILSTYLGRISGGGWLSAEPV PLQLPPL-NH ₂ (SEQ ID NO: 8). The peptide was synthesized as an amide from the corresponding starting materials according to the general description of the synthesis. Purity was determined by HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

Purity (HPLC): greater than 97% (less than 1% of single impurity)

Molar mass (free base): 2990.6

EXAMPLE 6

Preparation of RILSTYLGRISGGGYLSAEPVPLQLPPL-NH ₂ (SEQ ID NO: 9). The peptide was synthesized as an amide from the corresponding starting materials according to the general description of the synthesis. Purity was determined by HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

EXAMPLE 7

Preparation of KLVGFPVKPQVPGGGRLLCitPNITYKAA - NH ₂ (SEQ ID NO: 11). The peptide was synthesized as an amide from the corresponding starting materials according to the general description of the synthesis. Purity was determined by HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

EXAMPLE 8

Preparation of RLVGFPVKPQVPGGGRLLRPLTYKAA-NH ₂ (SEQ

ID NO: 12). The peptide was synthesized as an amide from the corresponding starting materials according to the general description of the synthesis. Purity was determined by a23 HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

Purity (HPLC): greater than 97% (less than 1% of single impurity)

Molecular Weight (Free Base): 2790,4 Molecular Formula: C130H217O39N29

EXAMPLE 9

Dimerization using a disulfide bridge.

The peptide sequences of Example 2 were combined by an oxidation step to form a dipeptide in which the cysteine residues form a disulfide bridge. The bridge was created in one of two ways:

A) Oxidation by I2. The peptides (equal amounts, if different) are dissolved in acetic acid / methanol (1: 4) and 0.1 M _{2 is added} in methanol to form a homodimer mixture, or

B) Oxidation with [Cys (Spy) ²² ] -SEQ ID NO: 3. 2.3 mM of peptide SEQ ID NO: 3 dissolved in 2 M AcOH (aq) and 2-propanol (1: 1) were reacted with 2 With 2-dithiodipyridine (3 eq) to give [Cys (Spy) ²² ] -SEQ ID NO: 3. [Cys (Spy) ²² ] -SEQ ID NO: 3 was dissolved in 10 mM NH 4 Oac (aq pH = 6). , 5) and methanol (5: 2) to obtain the dimer of SEQ ID NO: 13.

The purity of the resulting dimer was determined by HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

EXAMPLE 10

Preparation FVIHRLEPWLHPGSQHN1TASTN- NH ₂ (SEQ ID NO:

14). The peptide was synthesized as an amide from the corresponding starting materials according to the general description of the synthesis. Purity was determined by HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

Purity (HPLC): more than 98% (less than 1% of single impurity)

Molar mass (free base): 2540.2

EXAMPLE

Preparation of RLVGFPVKPQVPGLLRPLTYKAA - NH ₂ (SEQ ID NO: 15). The peptide was synthesized as an amide from the corresponding starting materials according to the general description of the synthesis. Purity was determined by HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

Purity (HPLC): greater than 99% (less than 1% of single impurity)

Molar mass (free base): 2520.3

EXAMPLE 12 - REFERENCE EXAMPLE

Preparation of the natural tatl sequence; MESVDPRLEPWKHPGSQPK TACTN-NH ₂ (SEQ ID NO: 16). The peptide was synthesized as an amide from the corresponding starting materials according to the general description of the synthesis. Purity was determined by HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

Purity (HPLC): greater than 97% (less than 1% of single impurity)

Molar mass (free base): 2708.1

EXAMPLE 13 - REFERENCE EXAMPLE

Preparation of the native tat2 sequence; QVCFITKGLGISYGRKKRR QRRR-NH ₂ (SEQ ID NO: 17). The peptide was synthesized as an amide from the corresponding starting materials according to the general description of the synthesis. Purity was determined by HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

Purity (HPLC):> 94%

Molar mass (free base): 2806.4

EXAMPLE 14 - REFERENCE EXAMPLE

Preparation of natural sequence Nef; EEV GFPVRPQVPLRPMTYK A NH NH 2 (SEQ ID NO: 18). The peptide was synthesized as an amide from the corresponding starting materials according to the general description of the synthesis. Purity was determined by HPLC analysis and the structure was confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

Purity (HPLC):> 95%

Molar mass (free base): 2384.8

EXAMPLE 15

A vaccine containing peptides of SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 12 is prepared. Lyophilized peptides are dissolved in sterile water to a final concentration of 4 mg / ml. A granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) preparation is also prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions for a final concentration of 0.3 mg / ml. The two solutions are administered intracutaneously. A typical injection dose is 100 μΐ.

EXAMPLE 16

A vaccine containing peptides of SEQ ID NOS: 14 and 15 is prepared. Lyophilized peptides are dissolved in sterile water to a final concentration of 4 mg / ml. A granulocyte-macrophage-wheel stimulating factor 26 (GM-CSF) preparation was also prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions for a final concentration of 0.3 mg / ml. The two solutions are administered intracutaneously. A typical injection dose is 100 µl.

EXAMPLE 17

The antigen solution or suspension is mixed with equal amounts of Freund's adjuvant from Behring, complete or incomplete, and then gently emulsified by drawing into a syringe and vigorously expelling it, or with a homogenizer. The emulsion should remain stable for at least 30 minutes. The antigen-adjuvant emulsion is preferably administered by subcutaneous injection as a depot.

EXAMPLE 18

Immunological assay for the detection of HIV-1 induced antibodies

Reagents with magnetic particles are prepared according to the protocol recommended by the manufacturer. Dynal AS is the manufacturer of the Dynabeads that have been used. The ligand-coated magnetic particles are called Reagent 1. The peptide of the invention is covalently bound to the pre-activated surface of the magnetic particles. It is also possible to absorb the peptide physically on the surface of the magnetic particles. The concentration of the particles in Reagent 1 ranges from 1 mg / ml to 15 mg / ml. The particle size varies from 0.2 µm to 15 µm. The peptide concentration ranges from 0.01 mg / mg particles to 1 mg / mg particles.

An anti-human Ig alkaline phosphatase (AP) conjugated antibody reagent is prepared according to the recommended Dáko AS protocol. This protocol is a standard procedure in the art. This reagent is called Reagent 2.

The phenolphthalein monophosphate substrate solution is prepared according to the Fluka AG recommended protocol. This protocol is a standard procedure in the art. The substrate solution is called Reagent 3.

The wash and incubation buffer used is a standard 0.05 M tris-base buffer with the following additional compounds: Tween 20 (0.01% to 0.1%), glycerol (0.1% to 10%) and sodium chloride ( 0.2% to 0.1%).

The assay procedure includes an incubation step in which 1 drop of Reagent 1 is mixed with 2 drops of Wash Buffer in each well. After mixing, add 30 μΐ of sample and incubate for 5 minutes. The magnetic particles can be captured by the magnet and the liquid can be removed after the magnet has separated. The wells are then rinsed twice with 4 drops of wash solution followed by incubation with Reagent 2. 1 drop of Reagent 2 is added with 2 drops of wash buffer and incubated for 5 minutes. The magnetic particles can be captured by the magnet and the liquid can be removed after the magnet has separated. Then, the washing step is repeated, followed by incubation with Reagent 3. Two drops of Reagent 3 are added to each well and the solution is incubated for 3 minutes. Results can be read against a white background. Positive results are red (3+ = deep red), while negative results are bright light yellow / light brown solutions as obtained with negative control.

EXAMPLE 19

Therapeutic and prophylactic vaccine

At least one of the peptides of the invention selected from the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 7 or SEQ ID NO: 10 may form antigens and constitute the active ingredient of a prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine intended to provided protection against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The vaccine may comprise compounds that have beneficial effects in protecting or stimulating the immune system of the host (human or other vertebrate animal), for example, interleukins, interferons, granulocyte-macrophage growth factors, hematopoietic growth factors, and the like. The vaccines further preferably comprise an adjuvant or vehicle, more preferably the adjuvant or vehicle is monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL ®), optionally with alum, Freund's adjuvant (complete or incomplete) or the hydroxide of the thread. The optimum amount of adjuvant / vehicle will depend on the type (s) selected.

The peptides of the invention could be modified by the C-terminal addition of a simple fatty acid, such as a single palmitoyl chain, to form a lipopeptide vaccine. Lipopeptides can be further introduced into liposome membranes by freeze-thaw cycles to yield liposomes having peptide ligands on their surface.

The peptide or vaccine preparation may be lyophilized prior to storage. Lyophilized peptides can be dissolved in sterile water to a final concentration of 0.1-100 mg / ml. The vaccine may be stored preferably at low temperature in ampoules containing one or more unit doses usable without modification. A typical unit dose of the peptide of the invention is in the concentration range: 0.05 gg - 1 mg per kg body weight, preferably 0.15 gg 0.15 mg per kg body weight. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the appropriate dosage will depend on the patient's body weight, the type of disease, the severity of the condition, the route of administration, and some other factors. When used as a therapeutic vaccine, it can be administered up to twelve times, by injection. This may be followed by additional doses of injections and in some cases may be continued throughout the patient's lifetime. To prepare a solution for injection, the peptides are dissolved in sterile water to a final concentration of 1 mg / ml peptide. A typical injection volume is 100g to 200g (2x100g). The peptide is preferably administered together with a suitable adjuvant and / or granulocyte macrophage growth factor, for example Leucomax® «Shering Plow» prepared in a concentration range of 0.1 mg / ml to 1 mg / ml or according to the manufacturer's instructions for use. Particularly preferred is a combination therapy wherein these peptides are administered together with the peptides described in published international patent application no. PCT / NO00 / 00075 and / or co-pending application no. These peptides may be administered simultaneously or sequentially. A suitable route of administration may be intracutaneous, subcutaneous, intravenous, oral, intramuscular, intranasal, mucosal or other suitable route. Repeated administration may be required to maintain the protective effect. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the vaccine compositions of the invention are useful not only in preventing infection but also in treating infection.

No toxic effects of the peptides of the invention were observed when injected into mice at a dose of 100 µg per kg body weight.

The above examples are intended to illustrate the invention only. It is to be understood that a person skilled in the art can modify the peptides, antigens and vaccines described herein so that they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

w

LIST OF SEQUENCES (1) GENERAL INFORMATION:

(i) APPLICANT:

(A) NAME: Bionor Immuno AS (B) STREET: Stremdalsjordet 4, POBox 1893 Gulset (C) CITY: 3703 Skien (E) COUNT: Norway (F) MAIL CODE (ZIP): N-3705 (G) PHONE: +47 35 50 57 50 (H) TELEFAX: +47 35 50 57 01 (i)

(A) NAME: Birger Sorensen (B) STREET: Meierlia 3 (C) CITY: 3727 Skien (D) STATE: Norway (ii) NAME OF THE INVENTION: HIV regulatory and helper peptides, antigens, vaccine compositions, immunoassay kit and method detection of HIV-induced antibodies.

(iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 18 (iv) COMPUTER READING FORM:

(A) MEDIA TYPE: Floppy disk (B) COMPUTER: IBM Compatible (C) OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 2000 (D) SOFTWARE: Word 7.0 (v) CURRENT APPLICATION DETAILS:

APPLICATION NUMBER:

(2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 1:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 22-24 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: simple (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No (v) FRAGMENT TYPE: internal (ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 1 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 1 is Met, Ser, Cys or nothing ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 2 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 2 is Glu, Asp, Val, Ser or ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 3 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 3 is Ser, Gln, Pro, Leu, Val, Ala, Trp, Tyr or Phe (ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 4 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 4 is Val or lle ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 5 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 5 is Asp, Asn or lle ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 6 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 6 is Pro, His or Ala (ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 7 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 7 is Arg, Asn, Ser, Lys, Glu or Asp ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 12 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 12 is Leu, lle or No ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 15 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 15 is Gly or Pro ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 16 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 16 is Ser, Asn or Ala ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 17 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 17 is Gin, Lys or Thr ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 18 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 18 is Pro or His (ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 19 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 19 is Lys, Thr, Ser, Ala, Arg, Pro, Glu, Leu, lle or No ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 20 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 20 is Thr, Ala, or lle ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 21 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 21 is Ala, Pro, Asp or Val ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 22 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 22 is Cys or Ser ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 23 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 23 is Thr, Asn or Ser ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 24 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 24 is Asn, Lys, Arg, Gln, Ala Pro or Thr ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 1 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Cys at position 1 may form part of disulfide bridge ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 22 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = The Cys at position 22 may form part of a disulfide bridge (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 1:

Xaa! Xaa ₂ Xaa ₃ Xaa ₄ Xaa ₅ Xaa ₆ Xaa ₇ Leu Glu Pro Trp Xaa ₁₂ His Pro Xaa ₁₅ Xaa ₆ Xaa ₁₇ 15 10 15

XaaieXaaig Xaa ₂ oXaa ₂ i Xaa ₂₂ Xaa ₂ 3Xaa ₂ 4 20 * 3> r (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 2:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 24 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: simple (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 1 ... 22 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Cys at positions 1 and 22 may form part of an intra-chain disulfide bridge (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 2:

Cys Ser Trp Val Asn Pro Glu Pro Trp Nle His Pro Gly Ser Gin His Nle Thr 15 10 15 20

Ala Cys Thr Asn (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 3:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 22 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: simple (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 3:

Phe Val lle Pro Gle Pro Trle Nle His Pro Gly Ser Gin Pro Nle Thr Ala Cys 15 10 15 20

Thr Asn (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 4:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 24-27 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: simple (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 1 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 1 is Pro, lle, Leu, Thr, Tyr or Val ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 2 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 2 is Val, Ala Cys, Leu, (ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 3 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 3 is Cys, lle, Leu, Val or ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 5 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 5 is lle, Leu, Gin, Met or ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 6 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 6 is Thr, Asn, Lys or Arg ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 7 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 7 is Lys, Arg or Gin ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 8 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 8 is Gly or Ala ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 9 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 9 is Leu or lle ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 10 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 10 is Gly, Ser or Ala ix) CHARACTERS:

v (A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 11 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 11 is lle or Gly ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 12 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 12 is Ser, Phe or Tyr ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Location (B) LOCATION: Xaaj inserted before position 14 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaaj inserted before position 14 is Leu, lle, ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 15 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 15 is Arg, Lys, Ser or Citrulline (ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 19 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 19 is Arg, Lys, Ser, Gly or Citrulline ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 20 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 20 is Gin, Arg or Pro ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 21 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 21 is lle or leu ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 22 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 22 is Gly, Leu, lle, Cys or ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 23 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 23 is Gly or Nothing ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Location (B) LOCATION: 12..13 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Zix inserts if applicable) SYMBOLS:

of (A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 2, 3 and 22 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Cys at positions 2, 3 and 22 may form part of disulfide bridge (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 4:

Xaa ₁ Xaa ₂ Xaa ₃ Phe Xaa ₅ XaaXaayXaasXaagXaa ^ Xaau Xaa ₁₂ -Z-TyrXaa | Gly 1 5 10 15

Xaa ₁₅ Lys Lys ArgXaaigXaaaj Xaa ₂ and Xaa ₂₂ Xaa ₂₃ 20 (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 5:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 27 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: simple (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 12..13 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = 3 Gly-Bridge inserted (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 5:

Tyr Leu Phu Leu Thr Lys Gly Leu Gly Lly Ser Gly Gly Gly Tyr No Gly Cit Lys Lys 15 10 15 20

Arg Cit Gin lle Leu Gly (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 6:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: simple (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 12..13 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Gly-bridge inserted 3 residues ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 27 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Cys at position 27 may form part of a disulfide bridge (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 6:

Tyr Leu No Phe Leu Thr Gly Leu Gly lly Ser Gly Gly Gly Tyr No Gly Cit Lys Lys 15 10 15 20

Arg Cit Gin lle Cys Gly 25 (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 7:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 25-28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: simple (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 1 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 1 is Phe, Tyr, Trp or Arg ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 4 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 4 is Gly, Ser, Asn, Asp, Cys, Val, Thr, Ala, or Arg ix) CHARACTERS :

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 5 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 5 is Thr, Ala, Asp, Asn or ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 6 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 6 is Tyr, Cys, Phe, Arg, His, Ser, Val or Leu ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 10 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 10 is Ser, Pro, Phe, Leu or lle r

(ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 11 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 11 is Ala, Thr, Glu, Gin, Val, Pro or Ser ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 12 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 12 is Glu, Lys, Gln, Asp, Asn, Tyr, Trp or Phe ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: Xaa, inserted after position 13 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaaj inserted after position 13 is Ser, Pro, Phe, Leu or ile ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: Xaa inserted before position 14 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa inserted before position 14 is Ala, Thr, Glu, Gin, Val, Pro, or Ser ix ) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 14 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 14 is Glu, Lys, Gin, Asp or ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 15 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 15 is Pro, Ser, Ala or Asn ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 16 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 16 is Val, Asn, Gly or Pro (ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 17 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 17 is Pro, Gin, His, Ser, Leu, Arg, Thr, Asp, or Ile ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 18 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 18 is Leu Phe or Val ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 19 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 19 is Gin, Leu, Pro, His, Asp or Glu (ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Location (B) LOCATION: 11..12 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Zlin inserted if applicable) SYMBOLS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 4 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Cys at positions 4 and 6 may form part of a disulfide bridge (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 7:

Xaa, lle Leu Xaa ₄ Xaa _with Xaa ₆ Leu Gly ArgXaa ₁₀ Xaa -Z- Xaa ₁₂ Leu ₁₃ Xaa, Xaai Xaa, ₄ 1 5 10 15

Xaa ₁₅ Xaa Xaa ₁₇ Xaa ₁₈ Xaa _ig Leu Pro Pro Leu 20 25 (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 8:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: simple (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 11..12 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = inserted [Gly] 'bridge where n = 3 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 8:

Arg lle Leu Ser Thr Tyr Leu Gly Arg lle Ser Gly Gly Trp Leu Ser Ala Glu Pro Val 15 10 15 20

Pro Leu Gin Leu

INFORMATION ABOUT SEQ ID NO: 9:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids ίο y

(B) TYPE: amino acid (C) CHAIN: simple (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 11..12 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = inserted [Gly] _n bridge where n = 3 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 9:

Arg Lle Leu Ser Thr Tyr Leu Gly Arg Lle Le Gly Gly Leu Ser Ala Glu Pro Val 15 10 15 20

Pro Leu Gin Leu Pro Leu 25 (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 10:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 22-29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: simple (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 1 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 1 is Lys or Arg ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 5 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 5 is Phe or Leu ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 7 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 7 is lle or Val ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 8 x

(D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 8 is Thr, Arg, Lys, Ala or ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 10 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 10 is Gin or His (ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 11 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 11 is Val, Leu or lle ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Location (B) LOCATION: Xaa, inserted before position 13 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Leu is inserted before position 13 (ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 13 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 13 is Leu, Val or Thr ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 14 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 14 is Arg or Cit ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 16 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 16 is Met, Val, lle, Leu or ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 17 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 17 is Thr or Asp ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 18 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 18 is Tyr, Phe or Arg ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 19 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 19 is Lys or Arg hl ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 20 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = Xaa at position 20 is Ala, Gly, Ser, Glu or ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 21 (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / Note = Xaa at position 21 is Ala, Ser or Val ix) CHARACTERS:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (B) LOCATION: 12 ... (LeUjXaa ₁₃ ) (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = optional -Z- and / or [Arg] _m bridge is inserted between Xaa ₁₂ and (Leu, Xaan) wherein m is 0, 1, 2 or 3.

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 10:

Xaa! Leu Val Gly Xaa ₅ Xaa ₇ Xaa _B Xaam Xaan Pro -Z- [Arg] _m Leu, Xaai ₃ 1 5 10

Xaa 14 Pro Xaa ^ Xaa-γγ Xaa-igXaajg Xaa ₂ oXaa ₂ i 15 20 (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 11:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 26 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: simple (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (C) LOCATION: 12 ... (LeUiXaa ₁₃ ....) (D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = join -Z- is [Gly] _n where n is 3 and [ Arg] _m where m is ((xi) DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCE: SEQ ID NO: 11:

Lys Leu Val Gly Phe Pro Val Lys Pro Gin Val Gly Gly Gly Arg Leu Leu Cit Pro No

10 15 20

Thr Tyr Lys Ala Ala 25 (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 12:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 26 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: simple (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified Site (E) LOCATION: 12 ... (LeUjXaa ₁₃ ) (F) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: / note = join -Z- is [Gly] "where n is 3 and [Arg] _m where m is 1.

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 12:

Arg Leu Val Gly Phe Pro Val Lys Pro Gin Val Pro Gly Gly G Arg Leu Leu Arg Pro Leu 15 10 15 20

Thr Tyr Lys Ala Ala 25 (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 13:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 44 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: double (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: dimeric peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No ix) FEATURES:

(A) NAME / KEY: Modified site (B) LOCATION: disulfide bond between position 20 in SEQ ID NO: 3 and position 20 in SEQ ID NO: 3 (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 14:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 22 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: double (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 14:

Phe Val lle His Arg Leu Glu Pro Trp Leu His Pro Gly Ser

10 15 20 w

μ (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 15:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 23 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: double (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 15:

Arg Leu Val Gly Phe Pro Val Lys Pro Gin Val Pro Gly Leu Leu Arg Pro Leu Thr Tyr Lys Ala

10 15 20

Ala (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 16:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 24 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: double (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETIC: No, tat1 natural sequence (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 16:

Met Glu Ser Val Asp Pro Glu Pro Trp Lys His Pro Gly Ser Gin Pro Lys Thr Ala Cys 15 10 15 20

Thr Asn (2) INFORMATION ON SEQ ID NO: 17:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 23 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: double (D) TOPOLOGY: both

K (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: No, tat2 natural sequence (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 17:

Gin Val Cys Phe lle Thr Lys Gly Leu Gly lle Ser Tyr Gly Arg Lys Lys Arg Arg Gin Arg Arg Arg 15 10 15 20

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 21 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRING: double (D) TOPOLOGY: both (ii) MOLECULA TYPE: peptide (iii) HYPOTHETIC: No, natural Nef sequence (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 18:

Glu Glu Val Gly Phe Pro Val Pro Pro Gin Val Pro Pro Leu Arg Pro Met Thr Tyr Lys Ala Ala 1 5 10 21

Claims (16)

PATENT CLAIMS A peptide derived from the HIV-1 regulatory and helper protein, characterized in that it comprises at least one amino acid sequence which comprises modifications compared to the natural sequence and is selected from the following groups of amino acid sequences: X aa, Xaa _2, Xaa ₂ Xaa 4 Xaa Xaa Xaa ₇ Leu Glu Pro Trp Xaa ₂ His Pro Xaa Xaal6 Xaa ₇ Xaajg Xaa ₍₉ Xaa ₂ of Xaa ₂ and Xaa ₂₂ Xaa ₂ 3 Xaa ₂₄ (SEQ ID NO: 1), wherein the amino acid chain have the following meanings; Xaa at position 1 of the peptide derivative is Met, Ser, Cys or nothing, Xaa at position 2 is Glu, Asp, Val, Ser or nothing, Xaa at position 3 is Trp, Tyr or Phe, Xaa at position 4 is Val or clay, Xaa at position 5 is white, Xaa at position 6 is Pro, His, or Ala, Xaa at position 7 is Arg, Asn, Ser, Lys, Glu, or Asp, Xaa at position 12 is Leu, clay or No, Xaa at position 15 is Gly or Pro, Xaa at position 16 is Ser, Asn, or Ala, Xaa at position 17 is Gln, Lys, or Thr, Xaa at position 18 is Pro or His, Xaa at position 19 is Leu, Ile or No, x Xaa at position 20 is Thr, Ala, or clay, Xaa at position 21 is Ala, Pro, Asp, or Val, Xaa at position 22 is Cys or Ser, Xaa at position 23 is Thr, Asn, or Ser, Xaa at position 24 is Asn, Lys, Arg, Gln, Ala, Pro, or Thr, the peptide comprises at least six contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 1, Xaa Xaa2 Xaa3 Phe Xaa Xaa6 Xaa7 Xaaa Xaa9 Xaaa Xaaa Xaaa2 -Z- Tyr Xaaa Gly Xaaa Lys Lys Arg Xaaa Xaa2o Xaa2i Xaa22 Xaa23 (SEQ ID NO: 4) wherein the amino acids of the chain have the following; Xaa at position 1 is Pro, Ile, Leu, Thr, Tyr or Val, Xaa at position 2 is Val, Ala, Cys, Leu, Xaa at position 3 is Cys, Ile, Leu, Val or No, Xaa at position 5 is white, Leu, Gln, Met or Thr, Xaa at position 6 is Thr, Asn, Lys, or Arg, Xaa at position 7 is Lys, Arg, or Gln, Xaa at position 8 is Gly or Ala, Xaa at position 9 is Leu or clay, Xaa at position 10 is Gly, Ser, or Ala, Xaa at position 11 is white or Gly, Xaa at position 12 is Ser, Phe, or Tyr, V yí Xaaj inserted before position 14 is Leu, clay, No, Xaa at position 15 is Arg, Lys, Ser, or Citrulline (Cit), Xaa at position 19 is Arg, Lys, Ser, Gly or Cit, Xaa at position 20 is Gln, Arg, or Pro, Xaa at position 21 is white or Leu, Xaa at position 22 is Gly, Leu, Ile, Cys or nothing, Xaa at position 23 is Gly or nothing, wherein the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 comprises at least six consecutive amino acids, -Z- is a possible linkage and represents PEG, modified PEG and / or [Gly] n, wherein n = 1, 2 or 3, Xaaai Leu Xaa4 Xaa Xaa6 Leu Gly Arg Xaaio Xaau -Z- Xaa ^ Leui ₃ Xaa; Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa X Xaa 9 Leu Pro Leu (SEQ ID NO: 7), wherein Xaa at position 1 is Phe, Tyr, Trp or Arg, Xaa at position 4 is Gly, Ser, Asn, Asp, Cys, Val, Thr, Ala, or Arg, Xaa at position 5 is Thr, Ala, Asp, Asn or Ser, Xaa at position 6 is Tyr, Cys, Phe, Arg, His, Ser, Val, or Leu, Xaa at position 10 is Ser, Pro, Phe, Leu, or Ile, Xaa at position 11 is Ala, Thr, Glu, Gln, Val, Pro, or Ser, Xaa at position 12 is Glu, Lys, Gln, Asp, Asn, Tyr, Trp, or Phe, Xaa · inserted after position 13 is Ser, Pro, Phe, Leu or Ile, Xaaj inserted before position 14 is Ala, Thr, Glu, Gln, Val, Pro or Ser,% Xaa at position 14 is Glu, Lys, Gln, Asp, or Asn, Xaa at position 15 is Pro, Ser, Ala, or Asn, Xaa at position 16 is Val, Asn, Gly, or Pro, Xaa at position 17 is Pro, Gln, His, Ser, Leu, Arg, Thr, Asp, or Ile, Xaa at position 18 is Leu, Phe, or Val, Xaa at position 19 is Gln, Leu, Pro, His, Asp, or Glu, wherein the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7 comprises at least six consecutive amino acids, the -Z- linker is optional and represents PEG, modified PEG and / or [Gly] _n in which n = 1, 2 or 3, Xaai Leu Val Gly Xaas For Xaa? Xaag Pro Xaa 10 Xaau Pro -Z- [Arg] _m Xaa; Xaa Xaa ₁₄ Pro Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xg Xaa Xoa 20 Xaa 21 (SEQ ID NO: 10), wherein Xaa at position 1 is Lys or Arg, Xaa at position 5 is Phe or Leu, Xaa at position 7 is white or Val, Xaa at position 8 is Thr, Arg, Lys, Ala or Met, Xaa at position 10 is Gln or His, Xaa at position 11 is Val, Leu, or clay, Xaaj inserted before position 13 is Leu, Xaa at position 13 is Leu, Val, or Thr, Xaa at position 14 is Arg or citrulline (Cit), Xaa at position 16 is Met, Val, Ile or No, Leu, Xaa at position 17 is Thr or Asp, Xaa at position 18 is Tyr, Phe, or Arg, Xaa at position 19 is Lys or Arg, Xaa at position 20 is Ala, Gly, Ser, Glu, or Gln, Xaa at position 21 is Ala, Ser or Val, wherein the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 comprises at least six consecutive amino acids, the -Z- linker is optional and represents PEG, modified PEG, and / or [Gly] _n , wherein n = 1, 2 or 3 and independently of n is mv [Arg] _m equal to 0, 1, 2 or 3, the terminal terminations of the sequences may be free carboxyl or amino groups, amides, acyls, acetyls or salts thereof, two or more Cys residues may form part of an intrachain or interchain disulphide binding, a -S- (CH _{2) p} -S- or a - (CH 2) _p -, wherein p = 1-8, optionally intervened by one or more heteroatoms such as O, N, or S, and / or said peptide sequences are immobilized on a solid support. The peptide of claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 is selected from the groups of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 14. 3. The peptide of claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 is selected from SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 6. The peptide of claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7 is selected from SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 9. The peptide of claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 is selected from SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 12 and SEQ ID NO: 15. 6. An antigen comprising at least one peptide according to claim 1 l. 7. The antigen of claim 6 comprising at least one peptide selected from at least one of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 7, and SEQ ID NO: 10. A vaccine composition comprising the antigen of claim 6 with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent and optionally with an adjuvant, carrier and / or vehicle and optionally with an additional immunostimulatory agent (s). The vaccine composition of claim 8, comprising at least one peptide selected from at least one of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 7, and SEQ ID NO: 10. The vaccine composition of claim 9, comprising the peptides of SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 15. The vaccine composition according to claims 8 to 10, wherein the peptides are dissolved in sterile water and the optional immunostimulatory compound is a granulocyte macrophage colony growth factor. Vaccine composition according to claims 8 to 11, characterized in that it comprises an adjuvant selected from monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL ®), Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvant or aluminum hydroxide. Vaccine composition, characterized in that the antigen of claim 6 is formulated as a lipopeptide and / or liposome preparation. A method for detecting antibodies elicited by HIV or HIV-specific peptides or proteins in a body fluid sample, characterized in that said sample is subjected to an immunoassay in which the antigen (s) is (are) selected from the peptides of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. An immunoassay kit for detecting antibodies elicited by HIV or HIV-specific peptides or proteins in a body fluid sample, wherein the diagnostic antigen is a peptide according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An antibody characterized in that it is capable of selectively reacting with the antigen of claims 6 and 7.